Electric-switch-operating means



G, E. NANNY ELECTRIC SWITCH OPERATING MEANS Filed March 5, 1927 2 Sheets-$heet l INVE NTQR Uharles E. H: na y Q, E. fl ilANk flY ELECTRIC SWITCH OPERATING MEANS Filed March 5,, 1927 2 Sheets Shem P2 an T W M IE a G M M l atented Nova 2 19217 v ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT, A. 681% 'EQRATIGN F GOlil'hllilCTIGlTll ELECTRIC-SWITCH-OFERATING MEANS.

Application filed March 5, W27. serial No. 173,111.

My invention relates particularly to auxiliary or supplemental means to be used in combination with a lever operated switch.

One object isi to provide simple float controlled means for pperat-ing' a switch for startingand stopping a motor operated pump. 1 i

Another object is to provide operating means which can be readily associated with a any ordinarylever operated switch.

Another object isto provide controlling means to be associated with a switch in such a wayv that the liquid contents of a tank, or

I other receptacle, may be automatically maintained between predetermined levels Another object is to provide operating means which can be adjusted to operate the switch at a higher or lower liquid level when desired. fill Another object is to provide auxiliary float controlled operating means which may be readily attached to an ordinary enclosed switch and which will have sufficient free movement to permit the switch to be opera-ted in its normal manner.

Another object is to provide a switch op erating attachment which will allow the switch to operate with a quick'break move: Vment. 1

Another object is to provide a detachable tloat controlled switch operating" means which can be made at a minimum cost and yet which will operate with maximum etficiencyn 7 ln its preferred form I provide a til-shaped ed on the switch boat To this member are secured spring fingers for engaging the ordinary switch operating lever. An extension from this ill-shaped member is adapted to be engaged by stops on the stemv of a float which stops are adjustable, The preterre" form of construction and method of operation will be understood from the following specification: Fig. 1 is an end view of the mechanism but omitting the float,

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same showing in dotted lines the operating member in one of its normal positions of rest and in full lines in an intermediate operating; position. Parts are brolren away and others shown in section in this figure Fig 3 is a side view on a smaller scale lid showing the switch and the float attachment, the float and operating means being shown in full lines in the elevated position and in dot and dash lines in the depressed position.

Fig. l is a perspective view of a modified stop construction.

The box 6 and its cover 7 may be of any suitable construction. The switch mechanism within the box may also be ofany suitable construction and provided with an external operating lever 8. i

l have shown the invention as applied to a construction in which there is a guard flange 9 surrounding the operating lever 8.

The external operating member 10 is formed in [ll-shape with its side arms pivoted on studs 11 which project outwardly from the sides of the switch box. These arms are preferably resilient so that they can be readily snapped on over the ends oi the,

pivot studs, although, obviously, they may be secured in place 'on the studs 11 by screws or rivets in any suitable mannen if desired;

, Spring fingers 12 and 13 are secured to the cross piece of the operating member 10 in any suitable manner, as for instance, by

means of the integral connecting piece it and the screw or bolt 15. The fingers 12 and 13 are preferably resilient and their movable ends are spaced apart so as to embrace the upper and lower surfaces of the lever 8. Preferably the operating member 10 is provided with an extension" 16 which may be secured to it by the bolt or screw have shown the construction as applied to a tank 17 containing liquid, the level of which is to be maintained within desired limits by a pump (not shown) whose operation is controlled by the switch.

The float 18 may be of any suitable character and provided with a stem or rod 19 which passes through the extension 16 and is provided with stops 20 and 21 which are adjustable up and down on the float rod, so as to control the points at which the switch is operated, When the liquid level tails to a certain level the stop 20, hearing down on the outer end of extension 16 will start to move the operating memberlO downwardly so that the finger 1% applies pressure to the upper side of the operating lever 8. As the float continues to move downwardly its which also secures the finger pieces 12 and strap member adapted to be pivotally mount- 13 i till Elli

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tion. This starts the pump and thus again raises the level of the liquid in the tank.

As the liquid level rises the stop 21 ,en-

i gages the lower side of the extension 16 and when the liquid has reached another pres determined level the switch will snap into,

the ofi position and stop the motor. Thebe mounted co-axially since there is $11 fingers 12 and 13 are sufiiciently resilient and are spaced far enough apart to permit the full snap action of the switch without interference after the snap movement has once been started. i

"It will be noted that the fingers 12-13 are bowed or curved and that the switch lever engaging ends are brought towards each other and bent at the ends so as to form rounded engagingportions which slide easily over the, surface of the switch lever, the bowed lingers allowing for a considerable angular rangeso'f movement of the lever with respect to the engaging portions of the fingers.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified stop construction in which the member 22 is provided with steps 23 and 24 so that it may be moved up or down on the float. rod 19.

In this construction only a single screw 25.

v is necessary for clamping the stop construction to the float rod.

The sprin fingers 12 and 13 are so spaced that when t e lever 8 has beenbrought to a snap action position, the lever will snap to the fully operated position without being op sed by the opposite finger.

y adjusting t sheet metal and is somewhat resilient so that y it adds its spring action to the action of the spring fingers in operating the lever- 8 of the switch. a

Although the operating lever 8 and the U-shaped member 10 swing in the same general direction it is not essential that the ficient relative freedom of movement between the lever 8 and the fingers 12 and 13 to permit of a very considerable eccentricity of the axisof the member 10 with respect to the lever B.

The construction of the Ushaped member 'and spring fingers is such that the parts may be attached readily to almost any kind of switch box and almost any kind of toggle or lever switch. Although the device is intended primarily-for snap switches, it should be understood that its use is not so limited.

I claim:

1. An enclosed switch having an operat ing lever, a U-shaped strap lunged to the enclosure and having spring fingers engag ing the operatin lever.

2. An enclose switch comprising a box, a sna switch contained therein and having a PIOJBCtlIlg operating lever, an external operating member pivoted to said box and having spaced apart fingers for engaging said lever.

- An enclosed switch having an o erating lever, a U-shaped member detac ably hinged to the enclosure and having fingers engaging the operatin lever. e stop device on the fioat CHA LES E. HANNY. 

